Hershey to Debut Latest in Snacking, Spotlight Retail Expertise at 2017 NACS Show

October 16, 2017 08:00 ET | Source:The Hershey Company

HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 16, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hershey Company (NYSE:HSY) will highlight its latest product innovations, convenience channel insights and future-focused shopper trends at the annual National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show in Chicago at McCormick Place on October 17-20, 2017.

Hershey is the category leader in U.S. confection and the No. 2 player in total snacking1. The company is investing in its core portfolio - from a position of strength - to deliver new products that appeal to people’s evolving snacking preferences.

“The convenience channel is rapidly evolving, and so are we. Candy and snacks will become the next great convenience experience – be it at the food service counter, in the aisle or at checkout,” said Todd Tillemans, President, U.S. at The Hershey Company. “People are defining what, how and when they snack, and we’re evolving our portfolio to meet our consumers’ needs. Our commitment to the consumer puts us at the forefront of helping our retailers succeed.”

Extending Hershey Power Brands to Drive C-Store Growth

More than half of consumers report they snack to indulge2. The confectionery market is strong, and the company’s core confectionery brands continue to outperform the market3. Hershey continues to invest in its most-recognized brands – Reese’s and Hershey’s – to the benefit of the entire category and the convenience channel.

Reese’s is a powerful brand. It’s the No. 1 confection brand in U.S. convenience4; it’s the brand convenience consumers pick up most often. Earlier this year, the company released Reese’s Crunchy Cookie Cup, a variation of the iconic peanut butter cup stuffed with chocolate cookie bits for a sensorial experience that adds a crunchy bite to complement the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. This comes on the heels of the Reese’s Pieces Cup innovation bringing excitement to the category.

At its NACS booth (#4616), the company will also showcase Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch Triple Chocolate Bar, the newest flavor to be introduced to the Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch line – one of the most anticipated innovations from the iconic Hershey’s brand in more than 16 years – that first debuted at the 2016 NACS Show. Hershey’s Cookie Layer Crunch Bars combine Hershey’s delicious chocolate on the outside with layers of smooth crème and crunchy cookie bits on the inside for creamy, crunchy and perfectly balanced snacking satisfaction.

These confectionery innovations align with consumer demand for more unique and complex snacking options. Meanwhile, Hershey continues to leverage the power of Hershey’s and Reese’s to develop and introduce products that represent the intersection of sweet and salty flavors to deliver unique and complex snacking solutions aligned with consumer demand.

Hershey will also continue to showcase its growing number of craft brands that represent artisan confections and better-for-you snacks with KRAVE, the protein based, on-the-go snack, and barkTHINS, snacking dark chocolate infused with simple ingredients.

As product innovation continues to roll out across the snacking continuum, Hershey’s category management and insights team continues to examine the intersection of our category, retail and technology trends to push the convenience channel forward amid the retail revolution. These insights are helping our convenience retail partners take advantage of the fast-moving retail market and implement best practices to improve the shopper experience in store and increase sales.

New this year is Hershey’s Food Service counter showcasing how Hershey brands can be used to improve shopper experience in this very important part of the store. According to a 2015 Hershey Brand Power Research Study, 76% of shoppers5 are very likely to try a dessert with Hershey-branded ingredients. Hershey will sample its latest foodservice products including Jolly Rancher Slushees, Sea Salt Caramel Fudge, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Cookie Bars, Take5 Crunchy Bars and mini Red Velvet cupcakes.

___________________________5 Source: Hershey Brand Power Research Study, Ipos, July 2015

About The Hershey CompanyThe Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery leader known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 18,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.4 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey'sKisses, Jolly Rancher, Ice Breakers and Brookside. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks. The company remains focused on growing its presence in key international markets while continuing to extend its competitive advantage in North America.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.

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